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AuRico Gold Announces 2014 Operational Outlook

TORONTO, Feb. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - AuRico Gold Inc. (TSX: AUQ) (NYSE: AUQ), ("AuRico" or the "Company") announces operational and capital
investment estimates for 2014 that include significant production
growth from the Young-Davidson mine as the operation enters its first
full year of a three-year underground ramp-up to targeted production
levels. All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. The
Company will host a conference call and webcast on February 7, 2014 at
8:30 am ET.

2014 Operational Estimates

In 2014, company-wide production is expected to be in the range of
210,000 to 240,000 gold ounces, an increase of up to 25%. Production
growth is primarily driven by quarter over quarter production increases
from the cornerstone Young-Davidson mine. Company-wide cash costs are
expected to be between $675 and $775 per ounce while all-in sustaining
costs are expected to be between $1,100 and $1,200 per ounce. Capital
investment requirements of $125 to $135 million have declined by up to
40% over the previous year reflecting the completion of construction
activities at the Young-Davidson mine. It is anticipated that annual
capital investment requirements as well as all-in sustaining costs per
ounce will continue to further decline over the coming years.

"Company-wide gold production is expected to significantly increase due
to the steadily increasing production profile from our cornerstone
Young-Davidson mine. In the first quarter, gold production from both
assets is expected to increase over the prior quarter, which will
represent the seventh consecutive quarter of company-wide gold
production growth. This operational momentum is expected to continue
throughout the year positioning the Company to deliver reliable,
consistent and sustainable production growth," stated Scott Perry. He
continued, "The Company is uniquely positioned with a low-cost asset
base located in top jurisdictions that provide significant organic
growth and a management team that is focused on quality production and
a capital allocation strategy that positions the Company for long term
value creation."

2014 Operational Estimates

2014 Operational Estimates1

Gold Production (ounces)

Young-Davidson

140,000 - 160,000

El Chanate

70,000 - 80,000

Total Production

210,000 - 240,000

Cash Costs per Ounce

Young-Davidson

Underground Mine

$650 - $750

Open Pit (incl. stockpile)

$850 - $950

Young-Davidson Total

$700 - $800

El Chanate

$625 - $725

Total Cash Costs per Ounce

$675 - $775

All-in Sustaining Costs

Young-Davidson

$1,100 - $1,200

El Chanate

$1,000 - $1,100

Total All-in Sustaining Costs per Ounce2,3

$1,100 - $1,200

Capital Investment Program (US$000's)

Young-Davidson

Non-Recurring Capital

Lower Mine Vertical Development

MCM Shaft Deepening

$15,000

Lower Mine Ramp Advance

$10,000

Fixed Assets

Underground Mobile Equipment

$10,000

Underground Ventilation Infrastructure

$5,000

Surface Capital Projects

$10,000

Sustaining Capital

Underground Development - Production Ramp-up

$55,000 - $60,000

Total Capital Investment - Young Davidson

$105,000 - $110,000

El Chanate

Capitalized Stripping

$17,500 - $22,500

Surface Capital Projects

$2,500

Total Capital Investment - El Chanate

$20,000 - $25,000

Total Capital Investment

$125,000 - $135,000

Exploration (US$000's)

Company-Wide Exploration

$10,000

General and Administrative (US$000's)4

Corporate G&A

$20,000

The following currency assumptions were used to forecast 2014 estimates:
0.95:1 US dollar to the Canadian dollar and 13.0:1 Mexican pesos to the
US dollar

Sustaining capital is defined as capital expenditures required to
maintain current levels of production.

Does not include share-based compensation or corporate restructuring
costs.

Young-Davidson

Production is expected to increase by up to 32% to between 140,000 and
160,000 ounces. Productivity from the underground mine for the first
quarter of 2014 is expected to average approximately 2,500 tpd and is
expected to grow steadily throughout the year as the underground mine
ramps-up to a targeted year-end exit rate of 4,000 tpd. The Company
anticipates achieving an ultimate sustainable productivity rate of
8,000 tpd by the end of 2016.

In November and December 2013, underground unit mining costs averaged
$39 per tonne. In the first quarter of 2014, unit mining costs are
expected to average approximately $45 per tonne, reflecting the
inclusion of paste fill operations following the commissioning of the
paste backfill plant in early January. The unit mining costs are then
expected to decrease throughout the year, corresponding with planned
quarter-over-quarter increases in underground productivity.

Underground cash costs are expected to average between $650 and $750 per
ounce for the year in-line with targeted levels and underpinned by the
efficiencies realized through the shaft hoisting system. Further cost
efficiencies are expected to be realized as productivity increases over
the next three years.

Site-wide cash costs, which include higher cost open pit ore, are
expected to average between $700 and $800 per ounce. Open pit mining
operations are scheduled to cease in mid-year as the open pit mine
reaches the end of its scheduled mine life.

All-in sustaining costs are expected to average between $1,100 and
$1,200 per ounce and are anticipated to continue decreasing as
production ramps-up to targeted levels.

In the Upper mine, which primarily represents the next 8 years of mine
life, 75% of the 2014 mine plan is already laterally accessed and 100%
is vertically accessed. Beginning in 2014, the Company will commence
vertical development of the Lower Mine, which is the portion of the ore
body below the 9590 level that will provide access to the entire ore
body and secure production over the 20 year strategic mine life. In
2014, vertical development activities will primarily be focused on
advancing decline development into the lower mine and sinking the MCM
services shaft to final depth.

El Chanate

Production is expected to be between 70,000 and 80,000 ounces,
consistent with previous year's production levels as the mine continues
to consistently operate at targeted levels.

Cash costs are expected to be between $625 and $725 per ounce. All-in
sustaining costs are expected to be between $1,000 and $1,100 per
ounce.

Following a successful drilling program in 2013, the Company will focus
on follow-up drilling in the three key areas of mineralization that
were identified outside the open pit as well as the El Chanate Deeps
area located under the current open pit floor. The Company will also
begin fieldwork to identify new potential targets on the Company's
expanded land package located northwest and southeast of the mine site,
which provides access to an additional 20 kilometres along the
prospective El Chanate Trend.

Cost Containment Initiatives

Due to the current gold price environment, management undertook a
thorough review of the Company's cost structure in order to streamline
the business and best position the Company for long-term success. In
the fourth quarter of 2013, numerous contracts were renegotiated on
more favourable terms and more than 50 positions were eliminated at the
El Chanate mine site.

During the first quarter of 2014, the Company reduced its corporate head
office personnel by 30%. The Board of Directors also reduced the size
of the board from nine to eight, rather than fill an existing vacancy.
These initiatives are intended to preserve the long-term health and
success of the Company.

Upcoming News Flow

The Company expects to issue the following updates during the first half
of 2014:

2013 Reserves and Resources (first week of March)

Fourth Quarter and Annual financial results (March 3)

Q1 2014 Production Preview (mid-April)

Company-Wide Exploration Update (late-April)

Q1 2014 Financial Results (May 8)

Annual General Meeting (May 9)

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Friday, February
7, 2014 beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Conference Call Access:
Please ask the operator to connect you to the AuRico Gold conference
call.

International & Toronto: 1-647-427-7450

Canada & U.S. Toll Free: 1-888-231-8191

Conference Call Live Webcast:
The conference call will be broadcast live on the internet via webcast.

About AuRico Gold
AuRico Gold is a leading Canadian gold producer with mines and projects
in North America that have solid production growth and exploration
potential. The Company is focused on its core operations including the
Young-Davidson gold mine in northern Ontario and the El Chanate mine in
Sonora State, Mexico. AuRico's project pipeline also includes advanced
development opportunities in Canada and Mexico. AuRico's head office is
located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information as defined under Canadian and U.S.
securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical
fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "believe",
"anticipate", "will", "intend", "estimate", "forecast", "budget" and
similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements include information as to strategy, plans or
future financial or operating performance, such as the Company's
expansion plans, project timelines, production plans, projected cash
flows or capital expenditures, cost estimates, projected exploration
results, reserve and resource estimates and other statements that
express management's expectations or estimates of future performance.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of
factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by
management, are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and
contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to
differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements, including: uncertainty of production and cost estimates;
fluctuations in the price of gold and foreign exchange rates; the
uncertainty of replacing depleted reserves and the possible
recalculation or reduction of reserves and resources; the risk that the
Young-Davidson shaft will not perform as planned; the risk that mining
operations do not meet expectations; the risk that projects will not be
developed according to budgets or timelines, changes in laws in Canada,
Mexico and other jurisdictions in which the Company may carry on
business; risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits or approvals
for operations or projects such as Kemess; disputes over title to
properties; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and
development; risks related to aboriginal or Ejido title claims;
compliance risks with respect to current and future environmental
regulations; disruptions affecting operations; opportunities that may
be pursued by the Company; employee relations; availability and costs
of mining inputs and labor; the ability to secure capital to execute
business plans; volatility of the Company's share price; continuation
of the dividend and dividend reinvestment plan; the effect of future
financings; litigation; risk of loss due to sabotage and civil
disturbances; the values of assets and liabilities based on projected
future cash flows; risks arising from derivative instruments or the
absence of hedging; adequacy of internal control over financial
reporting; changes in credit rating; and the impact of inflation.
Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ
materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements contained herein. Such statements are based on a number of
assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including assumptions
about: business and economic conditions; commodity prices and the price
of key inputs such as labour, fuel and electricity; credit market
conditions and conditions in financial markets generally; revenue and
cash flow estimates, production levels, development schedules and the
associated costs; ability to procure equipment and supplies and ability
to do so on a timely basis; the timing of the receipt of permits and
other approvals for projects and operations; the ability to attract and
retain skilled employees and contractors for the operations; the
accuracy of reserve and resource estimates; the impact of changes in
currency exchange rates on costs and results; interest rates; taxation;
and ongoing relations with employees and business partners. The Company
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.